Flap retainer clip for paper cartons



pri 10, 1951 R, H, coLLlER ETAL 2,548,705

PLAP RETAINER CLIP FORv PAPER CARTONS Filed March 14', 1950 ,/11 INVENTORS f/IO IO Il RAY H. COLLIER ROBERT H. l L ER Patented Apr. 10, 1951 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE FLAP RETAINER CLIP Fon PAPER cARToNs Ray H. Collier, Jackson, Miss., and Robert H. Collier, Oak Park, Ill.

Application March 14, 1950, Serial No. 149,546

9 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an article of manufacture designed to improve the utilization of container of a type having an outwardly hinging flap which provides a closure means for a dispensing opening. More particularly the invention relates to a ap retainer clip that may readily be used for maintaining the dispensing open ing flap of a container in a closed position.

During the last several years the use of cardboard or paper containers has become increasingly popular. The type of container that has been particularly well received is the conventional milk carton which consists of a tubular body that has its upper end closed by a top. The top is constructed of inclined sides which converge toward each other and which are connected at their upper ends to form an upright ridge. The container is usually provided with a ap adjacent the top of the body, the ilap being an integral part of the tubular body or wall of the container. The flap has three edges which are either creased or perforated so that they can easily be separated from the adjacent integral material of the body when the user wishes to uncover the dispensing opening which is covered by the nap. In order to open the flap the user of the container merely inserts a fingernail underneath one edge of the flap and he can readily tear three edges of the flap loose from the body and thus expose the dispensing opening. The ap remains hinged to the body of the container and when the user wishes to preserve the unused portion of the milk he desires to again cover the opening with the ap. Experience has shown that the flap will not remain in its closed position flat against the side of the body of the container, but it will have a definite tendency to hinge itself outwardly due to the resilient natural characteristics oi the container material used and thus the chances of contamination of the milk are greatly increased. It is applicants prime object to provide a clip or flap retainer which can be inexpensively produced and can be readily utilized for locking or holding the nap ina closed position flat against the side oi the container.

A further object is to provide a flap type of container, 'the container including an improved clip for maintaining the flap in a closed position against the side of the container.

Another object is to provide a iiap retainer adapted to grip and engage a container and to maintain a flap on the container in a closed position.

A still further object is to provide an article of manufacture comprising a U-shaped clip having diverging portions adapted tc engage and grip a container, one of the diverging portions being adapted to engage and hold a flap in a closed position against the sides of the container. l

These and further objects will become more readily apparent from a reading of the speciiicaf tion in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container having a flap retainer supported thereon for maintaining the flap in a closed position.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a container and flap retainer.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of a ilap retainer clip. l

Figure 4 is a side elevational view disclosing a modified embodiment of a flap retainer clip.

Figure 5 is a partial end view in elevation showing the container and retainer clip of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is another modied embodiment of the invention showing a side elevational view of a container and flap retainer carried thereon.

Figure '7 is a partial end view of the disclosure shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a further modication of a retainer clip, the view being in side elevation.

Referring particularly to the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a container is generally designated by the ref erence character IIJ. The container may be of cardboard or paper construction and includes a tubular body II having a bottom portion I2 and a closed top I3.

The top I3 has inclined sides I4 which converge toward one another and which have upright contiguous ends I4 which form an upright ridge l5. As best shown in Figures 1 and 4 thev container I0 includes a dispensing flap I6 which in the closed position shown in Figures 1 and 4 may be creased or perforated along three edges as indicated by Il. The flap I6 has a hinging crease or line I8 about which said iiap IB may hinge outwardly. During use the user inserts a fingernail or sharp instrument under one edge of the flap and lifts upwardly thereby tearing the flap along its edges Il. This exposes a dispensing opening I9 which is formed in and reinforced by a section of material 20 connected to the inner wall of the body I I. The container of course may vary in construction and design the main essence of the invention lying in the retainer clip which may be used to maintain the flap I6 oi the container in a closed position. f

The flap retainer shown in Figures l, 2 and 3 is generally designated by the reference 2 I. The retainer 2| includes a U-shaped clip 22 having oppositely disposed leg portions 23 and 24. The legs portions 23 and 24 are respectively connected to straps 24 and 25 which diverge obtusely outwardly and are adapted to overlie the inclined sides I4 of the top I3. The straps or extensions 24 and 25 are connected to oppositely disposed gripping portions 26, these gripping portions 26 being substantially parallel to the legs 23 and 24 and being laterally and longitudinally odset with respect thereto. As best shown in Figures l and 2 the flap retainer 2| can quickly be slipped over the top I3 so that the clip 22 straddles and grips the ridge I5. The retainer 2l is preferably made of a spring-like material and the gripping portion 26 grip the opposite sides of the container in secure relation so that the flap i6 is secured flat against the container body in a closed position.

The modified nap retainer shown in Figures 4 and is generally designated by the reference character 30. This retainer 3G includes a U-shaped clip 3| having oppositely disposed legs 32. A strap 33 extends obtusely from one o-f the legs 32, the strap being adapted to overlie the flap l 6 and hold the same in its closed position against the body of the container. The strap is connected to an L-shaped member 34 which includes an upright portion 35 substantially parallel to the legs 32. The upright portion 35 is adapted to lie adjacent the body Il of the container and is substantially coextensive therewith, being connected to a portion 36 which extends angularly from the upright portion 35 for engaging the underneath side of the bottom l 2 in gripping relation. It can readily be appreciated that the clip 3l can straddle the ridge l 5 and is held thereon against relative longitudinal movement by means of the portion 36 which grips the bottom l2.

The iiat retainer shown in Figures 6 and 7 is referred to generally by the numeral 43. This retainer 4l] includes a U-shaped clip 4I which has oppositely disposed legs 42 which straddle the ridge l5 of the container ll. A strap i3 extends obtusely from one of the legs 42, the strap i3 being positioned to overlie the nap IS and hold the same in its closed position nat against the side of the container body. The strap 43 is formed with a gripping portion Q4 which extends substantially parallel to the legs 42 and which is offset laterally v.,

and longitudinally with respect to the legs. collar 45 is connected to the gripping portion 4 the collar being arranged to slip over the body l l in telescoping relation.

The modication shown in Figure 8 comprises a retainer clip 50 having a collar 5| encircling the container I0, the collar including oppositely disposed straps or extensions 52 and 53 projecting upwardly acutely from the collar 5l. The collar 5l is supported on one side on the container l by the strap 53 and the strap 52 serves to maintain the flap I6 in a closed position.

It can readily be seen that applicants have provided a preferred embodiment and modication of a nap retainer which will extend the usefulness of a flap type of container. By the use of any of these retainer clips the user can safely use the containers for storage purposes since he has an eiective device for holding the aps in a closed position.

Changes and further modiiications may be made in the present invention Without departing from the spirit of the invention as disclosed nor from the scope thereof as deiined in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l. An article of manufacture of the type described comprising a U-shaped clip having sprinlike leg portions, a gripping portion extending substantially parallel to said leg portions, said gripping portion being offset longitudinally and laterally with respect to said leg portions, and an intermediate flat section connected to said gripping portion and to one of said leg portions and extending obtusely with respect to each of said portions.

2. The combination with a container having a tubular body the upper end of which is closed by a top having inclined sides terminating in an upright ridge formed by the upper contiguous ends of the sides and a fiap hingedly connected to the body of the container for outward hinging movement to expose a dispensing opening; of a ap retainer comprising a U-shaped clip having leg portions gripping and straddling the upright ridge, and a strap member connected to one of the leg portions, said strap member extending obtusely with respect to said clip and overlying one of the inclined sides and said ap in contiguous relation whereby said nap is retained iiat against said side in a closed position.

3. The combination claimed in claim 2 wherein the obtusely extending strap member includes a gripping portion extending substantially parallel with respect to the leg portion of the clip, the gripping portion being oiset laterally/ and longitudinally for gripping the tubular body of the container.

4. For use with a container having a tubular body the upper end of which is closed by a top having inclined sides terminating in an upright ridge formed by the upper contiguous ends of the sides and a iiap on said body adjacent said top, the iiap being adapted to hinge outwardly to provide a dispensing opening; a flap retainer comprising a spring-like member having a U- shaped clip at its upper end, the clip including oppositely disposed legs adapted to straddle and grip the upright ridge of the container, strap extensions connected to said legs and extending divergingly outwardly from the legs, the extensions being adapted to overlie the inclined sides in contiguous relation, one of said extensions being arranged to hold the ap flat against one side of the container in a closed position, and a gripping portion connected to each extension, the gripping portion being substantially parallel to said legs and being adapted to engage opposite portions of the body in resilient gripping rela- 5. An article of manufacture comprising a spring-like U-shaped clip having oppositely disposed leg portions, a strap member connected to each leg portion; the strap members extending .l outwardly from the leg portions in obtuse diverging relation, and a gripping portion connected to each strap member, the gripping portion being laterally oiset from said leg members and extending substantially parallel with respect thereto.

6. For use with a container having a body the lower end of which is closed by a bottom wall and the upper end of which is closed by a top having inclined sides terminating in an upright ridge formed by the upper contiguous ends of the sides, and a flap on said body adjacent said top, the iiap being arranged to hinge outwardly of the body for exposing a dispensing opening; a flap retainer comprising a U-shaped clip having leg members adapted to straddle and grip the ridge, a strap member connected to one of said leg members, said strap member extending angularly with respect to said leg and being arranged to overlie the ap in contiguous relation for holding the same nat againstthe body of the container, and an L-shaped supporting member connected to the strap member, the l..- shaped member including a rst portion coextensive with the body of the container and including a second portion adapted to extend inwardly from the first portion and along the outer surface of the bottom wall of the container for gripping said Wall and for securing said U- shaped clip in straddling relation with respect to said ridge. V

7, A nap retaining member comprising a U- shaped clip having oppositely disposed leg members, a strap extension connected to one of said leg members, said extension extending obtusely angularly outwardly from the leg member to which it is connected and an L-shaped support connected to said extension, said support includn ing a rst portion substantially parallel to said ieg member and a second portion extending angularly inwardly from said rst portion toward said clip.

8. For use with a container having a tubular body the upper end. of which is closed by a top having inclined sides terminating in an upright ridge formed by the upper contiguous ends of the sides, and a flap on said body adjacent said top, the flap being arranged to hinge outwardly of the body for exposing a dispensingopening; a ap retainer comprising a U-shaped clip having leg portions adapted to straddle and grip said upright ridge, an extension connected to one of said legs, said extension projecting obtusely with respect to said leg and being adapted, to overlie said flap for holding the same at against the body of the container, a gripping portion connected to said extension, said gripping portion extending substantially parallel to said legs and being adapted to engage the body of the container, and a collar connected to said gripping portion, said collar being a-dapted toencircle and grip a portion of the body of said container.

9. For use with a container having a tubular body the upper end of which is closed by a top having inclined sides terminating in an upright ridge formed by the upper contiguous ends of the sides, and a flap on said body adjacent said top, the flap being arranged to hinge outwardly of the body for exposing a dispensing opening; a flap retainer comprising a U-shaped clip having leg portions adapted to straddle and grip said upright ridge, an extension connected to one of said legs, said extension projecting obtusely with respect to said leg and being adapted to overlie said flap for holding the same fiat against the body of the container, and a collar connected to said extension, said collar being adapted to slip over said body in telescoping relation for securing said retainer on said container.

RAY H. COLLER. ROBERT-H. CGLLIER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,095,119 Krum Apr. 28, 1914 1,809,994 Templeton June 16, 1931 2,041,375 Schmerler May 19, 1936 2,132,115 Jonitz i'.s- Oct. 4, 1938 2,202,880 Wentz June 4, 194i() 

